"But you and your sister didn't have an invitation, right?"
"That's why we visited Mr. Cobalt."
Loading for a bit by what she was trying to say I suddenly felt a bolt of lightning.
"Oh, that's right I forgot about that."
"How can you forget something so important?
"Sorry, I thought It would happen plus I was working like a dog in Professor Lily's Lab."
"Oh yeah, That's understandable. So then, what's the plan?"
"We will go there and harass them."
"Eh....?"
"What?"
"Only that?"
"What else do you want to do?"
"I don't know something like infiltrate the place?"
"That would be stupid, the place has very solid defense almost like what the city has. Plus, you know what the auction is for right?"
"Yes, it is run by the government, right? Wouldn't they do something about the criminals?"
"I think you don't understand that the government only has outer control of it; they only receive the payment for their support."
"Meaning they will only take action after the auction."
"That's right, so the only thing we can do at that time is increase their usage in money, and once pieces of evidence are there then we will rake more than what they would expect."
"But their whole assets will be taken though not unless I take theirs first so at the right time I want you guys to help like you asked before You will hand over the evidence we all collected and I will take the money and share it with those that helped us."
"That's not a bad idea, but are you sure the government will really raid the place?"
"Yes ever since the attack before the argument between the two camps became excessive meaning there will be almost few to no government employees working there. And this time they might have some illegal items in the mix so we better keep our eyes peeled and make those bastards cough up their entire savings."
"We won't be included right?"
"No, they already have a list and all will be inspected during that time making it easy to know who overstepped their boundaries. Which will freeze their assets to make it impossible for them to escape."
"I see then we need to ask for some cash to help scheme against them."
"..."
"What?"
"I just didn't expect the word scheme to come from your mouth."
"Eh, what do you expect I would say."
"I don't know something cute I guess."
"Wha-…. That…um."
Suddenly she became flustered and wasn't able to say a thing.
'Wait for this reaction. No, no way. Right? Let's not get ahead of ourselves although I am good that doesn't mean that her reaction is what I think it is.'
"Ehem-ehem, Well now that we are done discussing we need to let those who need to know act to help set the stage."
"OH! Right. I will go now. Bye…"
"Mm." Nodding my head as she said goodbye Lady Alicia Left my store. As for me, I felt relaxed as I reached out for my tea. It's still hot.
That is one good idea I made, a drink warmer so that it would go cold. There is also a cold version for the summer.
"Is she going to be our mistress' owner"
"Pft. Kohoh-kohoh."
"Are you okay sir?"
Surprised by her sudden remark Dustin spit out his drink and coughed hard.
"Why did you start the conversation like that? Don't just drop the bomb out of nowhere, will you?"
"I-im so sorry it just came to mind all of a sudden. Also, why is it a bomb?"
"I'm going to sleep for now I think my stress levels are going high."
"Okay owner, again I am sorry."
"It's okay I was just being jumpy that's all."
Now that I have escaped that question, I need to find ways to infiltrate the place.
Yes, I plan to infiltrate the place, and to do that what I need is comprehensible Clothing that could help me in my overall performance in getting in.
Although it is true It is not that I was tricking her earlier what I want is for them to focus on harassing those guys while I infiltrate the place and immobilize most of their men.
It's not that I am cocky in my infiltration I just need to destroy their barrier system that would definitely be guarded by their people.
"Now then I guess I won't be sleeping again this time."
~~~~~~~~~~
Weeks passed and the people in Labyrinth City were rejoicing as the festival was almost there. Children roamed around the street vendors selling goods. And guards make sure the protection of the people is guaranteed.
"Wow, this place is awesome. I never thought the market here was going to be this fun. Look Mom there is a game over there that I want to play."
"Hold on Jake it isn't safe to move around."
Right now, Jake and Madam Cobalt are taking a stroll to get a feel for the upcoming festival.
"But all the other kids are doing it?*
"As much as the safety of the place is being guaranteed by the patrol officers nothing is truly secure. And I don't want to take my chance in losing you both, tight Litia."
"….Yes?"
And with them is Litia who seems to looking so envious at the kids running around.
"Not you too."
"See big sister Litia also wants to play."
"You have to listen to your mother, young master. Right now, it seems fun since it is the day of the festival. Not all can be taken as fun and games."
"Why are you saying that as well uncle?"
"Because it is. Before A lot of crime rates were happening due to the kidnapping of children. Even the sons and daughters of high-ranking officials and nobles were victims of this."
"Really?"
"Yes, this is a very true story so please be careful."
As Jake was asking if it was a true story a knight who is one of the patrol officers affirmed the stories were true.
"I understand."
"Good then I will be going now."
With a salute, the official left them be.
"Thank you."
""Bye-bye.""
Following that Jake and everyone said their farewell.
Then the whole afternoon, they just strolled the place and had fun doing some sightseeing as well as playing games that were quite safe to play.
"How are you doing Litia? I know this is the first time you are away from Miss Lily but I do hope you are having fun."
"Yeah, I am ma'am Don't worry. I am having fun right now."
Seeing her smile Madam Cobalt felt glad. But this didn't last long as a commotion happened during their sightseeing.
"Run!"
"What why?"
"The beast-tamer's monster is running amok!"
"Are you for real?"
"What rank?"
"It is said to be C."
"Sh*!"
"Let's run."
Because of that the people around Litia and the others were pushed away.
"Jake! Litia!"
Because it was so sudden the group was pushed far away apart from each other.
Calling for them Madam Cobalt tried to reach them.
It happened in an instant so not all were ready for what was happening.
After a few minutes later the commotion was then dealt and all were about to calm down when another problem occurred.
"No, my child!"
"My daughter, where is she?!"
This happened to most of the families and that also happened to Madam Cobalt.
"Oh no, they're not here."
"Madam, we were not able to see them around."
"Where are they?"
"My children. Thank you so much."
A mother then arrived in front of Madam Cobalt and called out to the children she pulled out.
"Ah, um."
"Miss, did you see any child the same age as your kids?"
"No sir, I was pushed further from my kids and was kicked out to the corner of the street."
The guard of Madam Cobalt started asking the question to her. Seeing the bruises around her body, what she said was all true.
"Oh no. Uhu – UuuuWwahh!"
Realizing the situation Madam Cobalt Cried as she knew that his child was lost and alone.
As the group of people were gathered far from the area of the monster rampage a group of individuals were huddled up as they had a number of children in their midst.
"Hehe. Those idiots still became careless."
"I was so scared this plan would fail but to think it would work."
"What about that beast-tamer guy?"
"If lucky he will be given a light sentence but if he rats us out or evidence of his involvement appears then. "
"He's done for."
"Let's go."
"The two groups then left as they gloated about the guy's misfortune. And along with them were kids including Litia and Jake."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Night time after the earlier commotion at the market the auction has finally started.
"Are you sure they will be here?"
"That I don't know but assuming that they want money they might have done some background checks on the kids and sold only those who are not related to the ones that are here."
"That's awful to think Litia and Jake were kidnapped this afternoon."
"The only thing we could do is stall time until the government arrives so let's harass them hard."
"Yeah,"
"Let's do this."